Rode yesterday and today. Two large trees down on blue trail along Hughes ( one right after the second log pile and the other by the two large tree trunks where you kind of had to zig zag). Trail below the dam was under water. Trail along the lake going towards the tennis courts was under water yesterday. Everything else on that side of the lake was dry and clear.
Mercer County Park Conditions
- Thread starter Dictatorsaurus
- Start date
TAS
Well-Known Member
UGH I hate those PI monsters! Takes twice as long because you don't want to touch it! Heard from Mick this morning. He and his wife went for a walk with their dog today and checked the bridges on Blue between rowing center and east picnic. One of the double bridges moved a wee bit but it's OK. We can reset it at a later date... He also reported the the skeeters were ferocious!
TAS
TAS
TAS
Well-Known Member
Rode yesterday. MOSQUITOS!!! DEET is your friend...
Southside VAN NEST west to east is fine. The exception being the small bridge that still needs to be reseated.
North side: Red loop east of east picnic area is still wet AVOID. Red loop by creek, Blue, Blue lakeside, SOB and Grail, are all fine.
The second double bridge needs one ramp to be repaired.
Blue north has several trees down. I will be out there this afternoon to clear them.
TAS
Southside VAN NEST west to east is fine. The exception being the small bridge that still needs to be reseated.
North side: Red loop east of east picnic area is still wet AVOID. Red loop by creek, Blue, Blue lakeside, SOB and Grail, are all fine.
The second double bridge needs one ramp to be repaired.
Blue north has several trees down. I will be out there this afternoon to clear them.
TAS
TAS
Well-Known Member
Trees on Blue North were cleared. I also cleaned up a few other little messes in that area.
Just past the culvert a mud spot was created by a log that was holding water on the trail bed. Cut and pulled it out.
Really needs a nick to drain properly.
Trimmed that log that fell across the trail in two places near the gas line ROW.
It was a flow disrupter!
Someday I will work on that big honker tree by the cornfield. A pass thru.. and a log over for the brave.
The go around is a PITA and floods.
TAS
Just past the culvert a mud spot was created by a log that was holding water on the trail bed. Cut and pulled it out.
Really needs a nick to drain properly.
Trimmed that log that fell across the trail in two places near the gas line ROW.
It was a flow disrupter!
Someday I will work on that big honker tree by the cornfield. A pass thru.. and a log over for the brave.
The go around is a PITA and floods.
TAS
TAS
Well-Known Member
Thanks for the intel Al! Oh C#@P.. Yeah that's a bigg'n Not gonna do that even with the Katana. I know that spot. Last time thru there with the chain saw I took a look and said "self you should cut that before it falls" But alas I did not...There are a few more on the same section that look ready to fall. But that's not always the case. They look bad but core is solid and rock hard... 25 years to go. Then there are others that look A-OK and you can push'em over with one hand!. I need to sharpen my chain saw blade. I'll try to get out there on Sunday. Hunting is closed down on weekends
TAS
TAS
02/11/2022
Van Nest is good on the stuff closer to Hughes drive, I didnt ride the stuff right along "the pink", figured it would be a mess.
The lakeside trail has areas of mush and the darkside of the field approaching it is trash, would avoid. The area next to the lake where the timing tower is for the rowers is a mess, avoid.
Behind the tennis center is pretty good.
In general, if it is usually wet, it is muddy.
Van Nest is good on the stuff closer to Hughes drive, I didnt ride the stuff right along "the pink", figured it would be a mess.
The lakeside trail has areas of mush and the darkside of the field approaching it is trash, would avoid. The area next to the lake where the timing tower is for the rowers is a mess, avoid.
Behind the tennis center is pretty good.
In general, if it is usually wet, it is muddy.
Big Al
Well-Known Member
Wish I had read this before I rode today. 😁 That area by the lake near the timing tower sucked. Otherwise pretty decent. I skipped upper blue and pax twist which are probably pretty sloppy.
TAS
Well-Known Member
Deer Hunting (Firearm) is done as of Saturday 2/12. Blue north will be open for access.
https://www.mercercountyparks.org/assets/LakeNorth_Sign_2021-22.pdf
I'll try and get out there to remove the tree on the hill. Mick has a new E saw he is itching to try out!
Anything else down that we need to know about?
TAS
https://www.mercercountyparks.org/assets/LakeNorth_Sign_2021-22.pdf
I'll try and get out there to remove the tree on the hill. Mick has a new E saw he is itching to try out!
Anything else down that we need to know about?
TAS
TAS
Well-Known Member
Now that hunting in Blue North is over, Mick & I decided to take advantage of the nice weather today. He has a new Esaw and wanted to test it. So we did. It's a Stihl... Wow it is nice!
We cleaned up a few other widow makers on the way in and out. The two big hangers that were between yellow brick road and Conover road were cleared.
Trails are really soft in the usual spots. Freeze -Thaw mud season is in full swing.
Please be mindful of that. If you are leaving ruts... turn around and go home!
TAS
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I am introducing a friend to riding the trails. Is the Mercer trails have a lot of up/down section or it's more of a slight elevation changes with lots of switchbacks? He had ridden 6MR couple of times last year but was struggling so want to find something easier so he does not lose interest.
Any other trail recommendation that is bit easier than 6MR?
Any other trail recommendation that is bit easier than 6MR?
RoB
Member
Depending on where you ride, Mercer has very little elevation change. There is a bit of climbing if you go around the lake to the right of the marina. Stay left of the Marina, by the West Picnic Area, and it's a ton of flat riding with a lot of switchbacks and some log-overs and such. Some very tight deer trails in there, challenging for the 800mm handlebar folks.